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South Alabama senior quarterback Brandon Bridge is a long way from home. The Jaguars are happy he's calling the shots in Mobile.

Saturday, he'll lead South Alabama into Cramton Bowl for the inaugural Raycom Media Camellia Bowl.

Bridge came to South Alabama by way of Toronto, Ontario in Canada, not necessarily known for high school football. His story is defined by the miles he's logged, but how he's played every hand dealt to him.

The youngest of three children, Bridge said his parents raised him to be his best. Bridge made sure to show he was listening.

Despite leading St. Marcellinus High School in Mississagua, Ontario to back-to-back championships in his junior and senior seasons, Bridge wasn't heavily recruited from major Division I schools.

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The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Bridge showed to have incredible arm strength, a quick release and great speed.

Bridge said most scouts told him his ability to make plays with his legs wouldn't be enough at the D-I level. Those statements woke up a sleeping giant.

"Coming out of high school, I wanted to prove to the big schools that I could be a good quarterback," Bridge said. "I've been through a lot of adversity, and when I finally got the chance, I was able to take advantage."

The only school that looked to give a shot at Division I football was Buffalo, but then-head coach Turner Gill left to be the head coach at Kansas in 2010. He then flirted with the prospect of going to college in Canada, but was led elsewhere.

He went to Alcorn State, where he started and led the Braves to a 5-6 record as a freshman. He finished a great individual season with 2,687 total yards and 27 total touchdowns. A quadriceps injury in 2011 ended his season and later that year, he asked for and was granted his release from Alcorn.

After leaving Alcorn, Bridge tried to show off his skills for plenty of schools, including Mississippi State. Bridge said the coaches didn't have a spot for him on the roster, but referred him to South Alabama and head coach Joey Jones.

Jones has been the head coach at South Alabama since the program's inception in 2009, and gave Bridge the second chance he wanted.

Bridge transferred to South Alabama in 2012 and had to sit out a year, which Bridge called extremely difficult. Bridge got the chance to play against Mississippi State earlier this season, part of a schedule that he prepared the Jaguars for games and moments like what Bridge has already been through.

The type of adversity has followed Bridge throughout his career, and it was part of what he says was a maturation process.

"When I first got here, he (Coach Jones) said that I would have the chance to start at some point," Bridge said. "Obviously, it was hard to sit. I hate watching. I learned about patience. I had to take the time to learn the offense and I knew my time would come."

Coach Jones certainly saw a future for Bridge as the starting quarterback of the school's first bowl team.

"He has a lot of great skill, but also is very determined to be the best," Jones said. "He's a guy that works very hard at his craft. He has all the things you want in a quarterback and as a person."

The patience Bridge exhibited eventually paid off, but he had to wait. Bridge did play in nine games last season, throwing for 398 yards and a touchdown and running for 170 yards and a touchdown.

Bridge even sparked a come-from-behind victory against Western Kentucky.

He was part of three consecutive scoring drives in the second half for the Jaguars and finished with 119 total yards as South Alabama won 31-24.

That taste of being under center was enough to fuel Bridge to play even harder during 2014 fall camp.

"I had to learn to be humble," Bridge said. "I had to make the best of having to wait so long, and had to make the most of my opportunity. I feel like this year I've done that."

Bridge comes into Saturday's Raycom Media Camellia Bowl completing 52 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,648 yards with 17 touchdowns and six interceptions, two of which came in South Alabama's season finale with Navy.

Bridge's ability to handle adversity is a trademark of the young program, who still has more goals in mind. The goals have helped bring out the best in a team seeking to make history on Saturday.

Senior safety Terrell Brigham says he hopes to get a great experience, and a win, this week.

"I was kind of surprised to see so many people when arrived here (Monday)," Brigham said. "It's something new for the program and we love seeing Jag Nation here supporting us."

Junior running back and Mobile native Terrance Timmons said it's very important to not just be in Montgomery, but to win.

"This game is big, not just for recruiting, but also for student enrollment," Timmons said. "We'll be the only game on national TV at that time. This game could put us on the map and could be a big deal for our whole sports program."

Maybe, South Alabama has already earned some respect nationally. The Jaguars have not shied away from tough competition, also facing South Carolina and Kent State.

Jones says those schedules have their pros and cons, but most importantly are a part of the development of his program.

"On one hand, you want to know how you stack up against the best and want to beat the best," Jones said. "The downside is you get beat up, but you learn a lot about your team."

Bridge's performance this season has earned him an invitation to the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl in Los Angeles, and who knows what lies ahead. Only two other quarterbacks from Canada have been drafted to the NFL from college.

Bridge has already taught people not to doubt him, even Saturday's opponent, Bowling Green. He sent his tape to the Falcons, but they never gave him a glance.

When Bridge takes the field on Saturday, he'll look to show the Falcons first-hand what they missed out on.

"It's kind of personal for me," Bridge said. "But just the fact of all I've been through, it's amazing to think that now we're in a bowl."